BiblioScholar Study of Recognition of the Lesser Achievements of Low Ranking Enlisted Men

Some noteworthy achievements of lower ranking enlisted men in peacetime often go unrecognized in spite of the commander's desire to do so because there is no existing procedure that will tangibly and appropriately recognize the exact degree of achievement. For this study these noteworthy achievements are designated as lesser achievements. All officer-supervisors are familiar with them. They exist in degree and are generally identified as achievements that are exceptional and significant and should be recognized. The problem arises in that the existing recognition devices that provide tangible recognition such as a decoration do not come down to the level where these achievements occur. This leaves the officer-supervisor in a situation of neglecting the employee or using some substitute measure to recognize the employee's efforts. Research in the Behavioral Science field revealed that providing praise and recognition of an individual's achievements creates a more stable and productive person. Failure of the person to obtain needed recognition can result in frustration, grievances, and non-productive behavior. This presents a fairly strong case against neglecting the employee. Since the problem definitely exists the solution may not exist in the current awards system. If it does, other exigencies must obscure or prevent its comfortable implementation. One logical approach is to determine the minimum change to the existing system that would solve the problem. Using this approach, an exploratory study was conducted with a survey questionnaire that asked if lesser achievements should be recognized at all.